Centra Care physicians have treated twice as many pneumonia cases in the first couple of weeks of 2013 as last they did last year.

Physicians have seen 125 cases this year and 53 cases at this time last year.

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"One week we saw about 85 cases of pneumonia," said Dr. Timothy Hendrix.

According to Centra Care, pneumonia is relatively common, but it can be dangerous.

"That's a serious infection," said Hendrix. "Don't forget the most common infection people die from is pneumonia."

Pneumonia typically follows the flu after two or three days and symptoms can mimic the flu.

"What it tells me is even with the busy flu season in the past we have not seen this many pneumonia cases," said Hendrix.

In central Florida, weekly pneumonia cases are reportedly much higher than weekly swine flu cases reported last year. The reason? The high spike of flu cases so early in the season.

"It hits you like a Mack truck," said Orange County Health Department spokeswoman Sarah Matthews. "Very immediate. Maybe feeling of fatigue, maybe some muscle aches, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose. All of those are signs and symptoms of the flu."

Experts say flu season may not have even reached it peak yet, leaving health officials concerned.

"This time compared to this time last year we have seen 150 percent increase in emergency room visits compared to last year," said Florida Department of Health spokesman Dain Weister.

In addition to hand sanitizing and wiping down public surfaces, doctors are encouraging hand washing after touching common surfaces like door handles and phones.

If you've already had the flu there are ways to avoid getting pneumonia.

"Get on Tamaflu within 48 hours of onset of symptoms," said Hendrix. "You're going to get better faster and reduce your chances of complications like pneumonia."